Traffic cops launch Road Courtesy campaign

VADODARA: After conducting an intense drive for ensuring that people follow traffic rules in the city, police have now launched a Road Courtesy campaign. The cops have decided to educate citizens in basic driving discipline, especially during peak hours when busy roads are packed with vehicles.

“City police commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut came up with the idea of Road Courtesy campaign that will be conducted for an entire month. Every year, the number of vehicles is increasing but many commuters are not patient enough while driving on the roads. So it was decided to launch this campaign,” said Amita Vanani, ACP (traffic).

The cops began the campaign on October 1 by educating citizens about keeping enough distance between two vehicles. Commuters were asked to maintain safe distance, especially from big vehicles to avoid accident. “We will then focus on respect for commuters. “No one hits the other vehicle deliberately. It is an accident which happens by mistake. Instead of picking up fight, people should forgive,” Vanani told TOI.

The third part of the campaign will be about patience on roads. Commuters will be asked to not honk unnecessarily and be patient if there is traffic jam. “It is also necessary that commuters have foresight while driving on the roads and give proper signals while taking turn or changing lanes. The last leg of the campaign will appeal citizens to give way to emergency vehicles and not overtake from wrong side,” Vanani added.

After Gahlaut took over as city police commissioner, the police had launched vehicle checking drive in busy areas. The police had penalized thousands of commuters for breaking traffic rules and parking vehicles in no-parking zone. The idea was also to crackdown on notorious elements who ride on motorbikes late in the night and create trouble.